Adapter for protective head gear

ABSTRACT

The adapter comprises a clip with a groove, and a rack that engages with the groove. The clip attaches securely to an edge of a fabric, for example, a panel on a baseball cap. The rack includes an angle adjuster, on which a brow guard, welding helmet, or other protective gear can be mounted.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to adapters and, moreparticularly, to adapters for protective head gear.

2. Description of Related Art

Certain work environments require protective gear for the head and face(e.g., welding helmet, brow guard, etc.). Sometimes, the protective gearis cumbersome and uncomfortable. Furthermore, the protective gear maynot be an optimal fit for all users, thereby further adding to thediscomfort. Given the importance of this type of safety equipment, thereare ongoing efforts to improve the designs associated with protectivegear.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an adapter system comprises a clip with a groove,and a rack that engages with the groove. The clip attaches securely toan edge of a panel on, for example, a baseball cap. The rack includes anangle adjuster, on which a brow guard, welding helmet, or otherprotective gear can be mounted.

Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be orbecome apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing drawings and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be includedwithin this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure,and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 1A), a side view (FIG. 1B),and a front view (FIG. 1C) of one embodiment of an inner panel of aclip.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 2A), a side view (FIG. 2B),and a front view (FIG. 2C) of one embodiment of an outer panel of theclip that engages with the inner panel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 3A), a side view (FIG. 3B),and a front view (FIG. 3C), of one embodiment of a pinioned dial thatengages with the outer panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 4A), a side view (FIG. 4B),and a front view (FIG. 4C) of one embodiment of a cover that engageswith the outer panel of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 5A), a side view (FIG. 5B),and a front view (FIG. 5C) of one embodiment of a slide lock thatengages with the cover of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 6A), a side view (FIG. 6B),and a front view (FIG. 6C) of one embodiment of a rack that forms arack-and-pinion mechanism with the pinioned dial of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 7A), a side view (FIG. 7B),and a front view (FIG. 7C) of one embodiment of an angle adjuster thatmounts to the rack of FIG. 6 and holds protective gear.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 8A), a side view (FIG. 8B),and a front view (FIG. 8C) of one embodiment of a knob that engages withthe rack of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 9A), a side view (FIG. 9B),and a front view (FIG. 9C) of one embodiment of a bearing that isinterposed between the knob of FIG. 8 and the angle adjuster of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exploded view of one embodiment of anadapter, with all of the corresponding components of FIGS. 1 through 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exploded view of another embodiment ofan adapter.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an assembled perspective view (FIG. 12A),side view (FIG. 12B), and a top view (FIG. 12C) of the adapter of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 13A) and a side view (FIG.13B) of one embodiment of a brim clip.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 14A), a side view (FIG.14B), and a front view (FIG. 14C) of one embodiment of a gel pad withthe brim clip (FIG. 13).

FIGS. 15A through 15F (collectively, FIG. 15) are diagrams showing oneembodiment of a stabilizer.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 16A), a side view (FIG.16B), and a front view (FIG. 16C) of one embodiment of a baseball capcomprising the adapter (FIG. 10), the brim clip (FIG. 13), the brim gelpad (FIG. 14), and the stabilizer (FIG. 15).

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the baseball capembodiment of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18A through 18F (collectively, FIG. 18) are diagrams showinganother embodiment of a stabilizer.

FIGS. 19A through 191 (collectively, FIG. 19) are diagrams showing yetanother embodiment of a stabilizer.

FIGS. 20A through 20G (collectively, FIG. 20) are diagrams showing yetanother embodiment of a stabilizer.

FIGS. 21A through 21F (collectively, FIG. 21) are diagrams showing yetanother embodiment of a stabilizer.

FIGS. 22A through 22F (collectively, FIG. 22) are diagrams showing yetanother embodiment of a stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various hazardous working environments require the use of protectivegear for the head and face (e.g., welding helmet, brow guard, etc.).Depending on the work, the protective gear can sometimes be cumbersomeand uncomfortable. Sometimes, the discomfort associated with protectivegear becomes a deterrent for the operator to wear the protective gear.In some situations, an uncomfortable fit can also be dangerous, sincethe discomfort can become a distraction.

The inventive adapter system seeks to provide a more comfortable fit forprotective gear. Specifically, the adapter system permits an operator toattach the protective gear to the operator's own cap (e.g., baseballcap, etc.), which will likely provide a better fit and reducediscomfort. For some embodiments, the adapter system comprises a clipwith a groove, and a rack that engages with the groove. The clipattaches securely to an edge of a panel on, for example, a baseball cap.The rack includes an angle adjuster, on which a brow guard, weldinghelmet, or other protective gear can be mounted. As shown in greaterdetail below, providing a mechanism by which protective gear can bemounted on one's own head covering (e.g., baseball cap) results in amore comfortable fit.

Having provided a general overview of the benefits of the disclosedadapter system, reference is now made in detail to the description ofthe embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While severalembodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is nointent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodimentsdisclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover allalternatives, modifications, and equivalents. For clarity, embodimentsof each of the individual components are first described with referenceto FIGS. 1 through 9. Thereafter, one embodiment of an adapter system,which is designed for mounting on a cap (e.g., baseball cap) or otherhead covering is described with reference to FIG. 10. Another embodimentof an adapter system, which is designed for use with a head-mount, isshown in FIGS. 11 and 12. FIGS. 13 through 22 show various embodimentsof stabilizers that provide greater stability and security for theadapter system of FIG. 10.

With this in mind, attention is turned to FIGS. 1 and 2, which shown oneembodiment of a clip that attaches to a head covering, such as, forexample, a baseball cap. Specifically shown are a top view (FIG. 1A), aside view (FIG. 1B), and a front view (FIG. 1C) of one embodiment of aninner panel of the clip, along with a top view (FIG. 2A), a side view(FIG. 2B), and a front view (FIG. 2C) of one embodiment of an outerpanel of the clip. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner panel (FIG. 1)comprises inner teeth 110, and the outer panel (FIG. 2) comprises outerteeth 210. Together, the inner teeth 110 and the outer teeth 210 formthe holding mechanism that secures the clip (FIGS. 1 and 2) to an edgeof a baseball cap. It should be understood that the clip can also besecured to other types of head coverings and is not limited to beingmounted on a baseball cap. For one embodiment, the inner teeth 110 andthe outer teeth 210 have saw-tooth patterns that permit secure clampingaround the fabric.

Continuing, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 3A), a sideview (FIG. 3B), and a front view (FIG. 3C), of one embodiment of apinioned dial that engages with the outer panel (FIG. 2). As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the outer panel comprises an unthreaded bore 230, and thepinioned dial (FIG. 3) comprises an axle 310 that rotationally mateswith the unthreaded bore 230, thereby permitting the pinioned dial (FIG.3) to rotate with reference to the outer panel (FIG. 2). The pinioneddial (FIG. 3) further comprises a pinion 320, and the outer panel (FIG.2) also comprises a locking pawl 240 that engages the pinion 320 toinhibit rotation of the pinioned dial (FIG. 3). In other words, in theabsence of the locking pawl 240, the pinioned dial (FIG. 3) would bepermitted to freely rotate without much resistance. Conversely, thelocking pawl 240 provides a finite degree of resistance as it engagesthe pinion 320, which provides a mechanism for setting the position ofthe pinioned dial (FIG. 3) to prevent free rotation of the pinioned dial(FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 4A), a side view (FIG. 4B),and a front view (FIG. 4C) of one embodiment of a cover (FIG. 4), whichsecurely holds the dial (FIG. 3) within the outer panel (FIG. 2). Thecombination of the cover (FIG. 4), the outer panel (FIG. 2), and theinner panel (FIG. 1) forms the clip. The cover (FIG. 4) comprises anotch 410 that accommodates the axle 310 of the pinioned dial (FIG. 3).Consequently, the pinioned dial (FIG. 3) is able to move translationallywith reference to the clip.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 6A), a side view (FIG. 6B),and a front view (FIG. 6C) of one embodiment of a rack that forms arack-and-pinion mechanism with the pinioned dial (FIG. 3). As shown inFIG. 6, the rack comprises rack teeth 610, which engages with the pinion320 to form a rack-and-pinion mechanism. Thus, when the pinioned dial(FIG. 3) is rotated, this rotational motion of the pinioned dial (FIG.3) results in a linear movement of the rack (FIG. 6). Consequently, thislinear movement permits an operator or user to adjust a distance of abrow-guard, welding helmet, or other protective gear so that it is at anoptimal or comfortable distance from the face of the operator or user.The rack (FIG. 6) further comprises a sliding arm 620, and the outerpanel (FIG. 2) further comprises a groove 220 that slidably mates withthe sliding arm 620. The combination of the groove 220 and the slidingarm 620 permits the rack (FIG. 6) to move linearly with reference to theouter panel (FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 5A), a side view (FIG. 5B),and a front view (FIG. 5C) of one embodiment of a slide lock thatengages with the cover (FIG. 4). The slide lock (FIG. 5) is positionedat the opening of the notch 410 of the cover (FIG. 4), and can be ineither a locked position (where it extends into the notch 410) or anunlocked position (where it does not extend into the notch 410).Consequently, when the rack (FIG. 6) is inside of the notch 410, and theslide lock (FIG. 5) is in the locked position, the slide lock (FIG. 5)prevents the rack (FIG. 6) from disengaging from the groove 220 of theclip. Conversely, when the slide lock (FIG. 5) is in the unlockedposition, then the slide lock (FIG. 5) permits the rack (FIG. 6) todisengage from the groove 220 of the clip. As one can appreciate, whenin the unlocked position, the rack (FIG. 6) can be quickly released fromthe groove 220 of the clip by simply pulling the rack (FIG. 6) throughthe notch 410.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a top view (FIG. 7A), a side view (FIG. 7B),and a front view (FIG. 7C) of one embodiment of an angle adjuster thatmounts to the rack (FIG. 6) and holds protective gear. FIG. 8 is adiagram showing a top view (FIG. 8A), a side view (FIG. 8B), and a frontview (FIG. 8C) of one embodiment of a knob that engages with the rack(FIG. 6). The knob (FIG. 8) comprises a threaded male member 810, andthe rack (FIG. 6) comprises a threaded female receptacle 630 thatsecures to the male member 810. The angle adjuster (FIG. 7) comprises ahole 710 through which the male member 810 inserts. Thus, whenassembled, the angle adjuster (FIG. 7) is secured between the knob (FIG.8) and the rack (FIG. 6), and can be pivoted with reference to the rack(FIG. 6). As a result, when protective gear (e.g., brow guard, weldinghelmet, etc.) is mounted to the angle adjuster (FIG. 7), the position ofthe protective gear can be controlled by moving the rack (FIG. 6)forward and backward using the pinioned dial (FIG. 3). Furthermore, theprotective gear can be lifted and re-positioned at different angles as aresult of being mounted on the angle adjuster (FIG. 7).

For some embodiments, a bearing can be interposed between the rack (FIG.6) and the knob (FIG. 8) in place of the angle adjuster (FIG. 7). Oneembodiment of the bearing is shown with reference to FIG. 9, including atop view (FIG. 9A), a side view (FIG. 9B), and a front view (FIG. 9C).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exploded view of one embodiment of anadapter, with all of the corresponding components of FIGS. 1 through 9.As shown in FIG. 10, when fully assembled, the adapter permits anoperator or user to adjust the distance between protective head gear andthe face of the user or operator by turning the pinioned dial (FIG. 3).Furthermore, the adapter (FIG. 10) permits the operator or user toinstall protective head gear onto a better fitting head-covering, suchas, for example, a baseball cap. Since the angle adjuster (FIG. 7) ispivotally mounted to the rack (FIG. 6), the protective gear (e.g., browguard, welding helmet, etc.) can be lifted and re-positioned as the useror operator sees fit.

As one can readily appreciate, the adapter (FIG. 10) allows the user oroperator to use a more comfortable and better fitting head covering(e.g., one's own baseball cap) in conjunction with protective head gear.As such, the adapter (FIG. 10) produces a better fit and reducesdiscomfort, thereby improving workplace safety.

With this in mind, attention is turned to FIGS. 11 and 12, which showanother embodiment of an adapter system. Specifically, FIG. 11 shows anexploded view of one embodiment of an adapter system, while FIG. 12shows an assembled perspective view (FIG. 12A), side view (FIG. 12B),and a top view (FIG. 12C) of the adapter system of FIG. 11. Similar toFIG. 10, this embodiment of the adapter system (FIG. 11) comprises anouter panel (FIG. 2), a pinioned dial (FIG. 3), a cover (FIG. 4), aslide lock (FIG. 5), a rack (FIG. 6), an angle adjuster (FIG. 7), and aknob (FIG. 8). Since these particular components (FIGS. 2 through 8)have already been described above, further discussion of thesecomponents is omitted here. However, unlike the adapter of FIG. 10, theadapter of FIG. 11 does not have an inner panel (FIG. 1). Instead, theouter panel (FIG. 2) is mounted to a mount 1150 that forms a part of ahead-gear assembly.

The head-gear assembly comprises the mount 1150, a rear strap 1140 thatsecures to the mount 1150, a top fabric attachment 1120 to attach a topfabric strap, a front fabric attachment 1130 to attach a front fabricstrap, and a height adjuster 1110 to adjust fit for better comfort andsafety. The rear strap 1140 secures around the head of a user oroperator, as shown in FIG. 12, thereby holding the adapter (FIG. 11) inplace. As shown in FIG. 12, the rear strap is adjustable to provide abetter fit for the operator or user. Additionally, for some embodiments,the front fabric strap and the top fabric strap (as shown in FIG. 12)are adjustable or elastic (or both), thereby improving fit and comfort.

Mounting the adapter system (FIG. 11) to a head-gear assembly provides astand-alone unit, which permits the user or operator to adjust thedistance between the face of the operator or user and the protectivehead gear (e.g., brow guard, welding mask, etc.). One advantage of thestand-alone unit of FIG. 12 is that it provides greater stability andsecurity than adapter systems (FIG. 10) that are attached to a baseballcap. With this in mind, the adapter system (FIG. 10) can bemore-securely attached to a baseball cap by providing stabilizers.Various embodiments to stabilize the adapter system (FIG. 10) are shownwith reference to FIGS. 13 through 22.

FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of a brim clip, FIG. 14 shows oneembodiment of a gel pad with the brim clip, FIG. 15 shows one embodimentof a stabilizer, and FIGS. 16 and 17 show the adapter system (FIG. 10),the brim clip (FIG. 13), the gel pad (FIG. 14), and the stabilizer (FIG.15) installed onto a baseball cap. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16A, thebrim clip is a U-shaped clip that attaches to the brim of a baseball capby a fabric band (preferably an elastic band). The gel pad (FIG. 14)attaches to the inside of the baseball cap near the brim, and is securedto the brim clip (FIG. 13) by the fabric (elastic) band. In someembodiments, the gel pad (FIG. 14) is also secured to the inside of thebaseball cap with fasteners, such as Velcro® fasteners. The stabilizer(FIG. 15) extends from the adapter systems (FIG. 10) on each side of thebaseball cap and connect together behind the gel pad (FIG. 14).

FIG. 15 shows one embodiment of a stabilizer having a strap 1510 and asnap 1520. In particular, FIG. 15A shows a top view of the stabilizer,FIG. 15B shows a side view of the stabilizer, and FIG. 15C shows a frontview (FIG. 15C) of the stabilizer, while FIGS. 15D, 15E, and 15F show aside view, front view, and a top view of the snap 1520 that secures thestrap 1510 to the adapter system (FIG. 10). The snap 1520 provides amechanism by which the strap 1510 can be easily secured to the adaptersystem (FIG. 10). By providing a strap 1510 that partially circumscribesthe baseball cap near the brim, the stabilizer (FIG. 15) providesgreater stability for heavier safety gear, such as, for example, largerwelding helmets, etc. Furthermore, interposing the gel pad (FIG. 14)between the stabilizer strap 1510 and the user provides greater comfortto the user.

Although FIG. 15 shows a snap 1520 to secure the strap 1510 to theadapter system (FIG. 10), it should be appreciated that, for otherembodiments, a strap can be secured to the adapter system (FIG. 10)using different mechanisms. Various different embodiments of thestabilizer are shown with reference to FIGS. 18 through 22. It should beappreciated that these additional embodiments function in a mannersimilar to the embodiment of FIG. 15 to provide greater stability forwelding helmets or other safety gear that is mounted to the adaptersystem (FIG. 10).

FIGS. 18A through 18F (collectively, FIG. 18) are diagrams showinganother embodiment of a stabilizer. Specifically, FIG. 18A shows aleft-side stabilizer strap 1810 a that secures to a right-sidestabilizer strap 1810 b. The length of the stabilizer can be adjusted bysecuring the straps together at different lengths, similar to how onechanges the length of a belt with reference to a belt buckle. Theleft-side stabilizer strap 1810 a is secured to the adapter system (FIG.10) on the left side of the baseball cap by using a left hinge 1820 a,while the right-side stabilizer strap 1810 b is secured to the adaptersystem (FIG. 10) on the right side of the baseball cap by using a righthinge 1820 b. The stabilizer, in combination with the brim clip (FIG.13), the gel pad (FIG. 14), and the adapter system (FIG. 10) provides amore secure mounting mechanism for heavier safety gear.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19A through 191(collectively, FIG. 19), the stabilizer can be secured to the adaptersystem (FIG. 10) using a detachable sliding mount, such as that shown inFIGS. 19D through 191. In particular, a modified inner clip (FIGS. 19F,19G, and 19H) secures to the baseball cap, and an insert (FIGS. 19C,19D, and 19E) engages with the modified inner clip by sliding into agroove in the modified inner clip. Since one having ordinary skill inthe art can discern the engagement mechanism from FIGS. 19A through 191,further discussion of that engagement mechanism is omitted withreference to FIG. 19.

Also possible is the use of a three-snap mechanism 2020, as shown in theembodiment of FIGS. 20A through 20G (collectively, FIG. 20).Specifically, FIGS. 20D, 20F, and 20G show another modified inner clip2030, which secures to a strap-clip 2040. Since the operation of thethree-snap mechanism 2020 can be discerned with reference to FIGS. 20Dthrough 20G by one having skill in the art, further discussion of thethree-snap mechanisms 2020 is omitted with reference to FIG. 20.

FIGS. 21A through 21F (collectively, FIG. 21) are diagrams showing yetanother embodiment of a stabilizer in which a side orifice is used tosecure a stabilizer strap 2110 to the adapter system (FIG. 10). As shownin FIG. 21, the stabilizer strap 2110 comprises a set of flexible tabs2120 that thread through a corresponding orifice in a modified clip2130. The stabilizer strap 2110 can be released from the adapter system(FIG. 10) by squeezing together the flexible tabs 2120. Similar to FIG.21, FIGS. 22A through 22F (collectively, FIG. 22) show a stabilizer thatthreads through the entire clip (rather than threading through anorifice on one side of the clip). Since the engagement mechanisms ofFIGS. 21 and 22 can be discerned with reference to the drawings by thosehaving skill in the art, further discussions of the engagementmechanisms in FIGS. 21 and 22 are omitted here.

As shown in FIGS. 13 through 22, by providing a stabilizing mechanism,heavier safety gear can be more-securely mounted to the baseball cap,thereby increasing safety and providing greater comfort to the user oroperator.

Although exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will beclear to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes,modifications, or alterations to the disclosure as described may bemade. For example, while various embodiments are described withreference to safety equipment and protective head gear in workenvironments, it should be appreciated that the adapter can be used indifferent environments, such as, for example, athletic or sportsenvironments. Additionally, for some embodiments, it should beappreciated that the adapter with the angle adjuster can be placed onboth the left side and the right side of the head, thereby making theeventually-assembled head-gear substantially symmetric about thesagittal plane of the head. In other alternative embodiments, the angleadjuster can be placed on only one side (i.e., either left side or rightside) with the bearing on the other side. Also, it should be appreciatedthat the left side and the right side are interchangeable, since leftand right are dependent on the perspective (e.g., whether facing towardthe operator, or facing away from the operator). All such changes,modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within thescope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter system, comprising: (A) a right clipto attach to a right edge of a baseball cap, the right clip comprising:(A1) a right inner panel comprising right inner teeth, the right innerteeth to engage a right inside of the baseball cap; and (A2) a rightouter panel comprising: (A2a) right outer teeth, the right outer teethto engage a right outside of the baseball cap, the right inner teeth andthe right outer teeth to securely hold the right edge; (A2b) a rightgroove located substantially parallel to the right edge; and (A2c) anunthreaded right bore; (B) a right cover comprising a right coveropening; (C) a right rack located between the right clip and the rightcover, the right rack being mated with the right groove to permit theright rack to slide within the right groove, the right rack comprising:(C1) right rack teeth; and (C2) a threaded female receptacle accessiblethrough the right cover opening; (D) a right dial located between theright clip and the right cover, the right dial comprising: (D1) a rightaxle mated with the unthreaded right bore to permit the right dial torotate with reference to the right outer panel; (D2) a right pinion toengage with the right rack teeth to form a right rack-and-pinionmechanism; (E) a right slide lock located on the right cover, the rightslide lock having a locked position, the right slide lock having anunlocked position, the right slide lock to prohibit disengagement of theright rack from the right groove when the right slide lock is in thelocked position, the right slide lock to permit disengagement of theright rack from the right groove when the right slide lock is in theunlocked position; (F) an angle adjuster comprising a hole, the holebeing aligned with the threaded female receptacle; and (G) a knobcomprising a threaded male member, the threaded male member insertedthrough the hole and engaged with the threaded female receptacle tosecure the angle adjuster.
 2. The adapter system of claim 2, furthercomprising a locking pawl located on the right outer panel, the lockingpawl to prevent the right rack from moving freely with reference to theright clip.
 3. An adapter system, comprising: a clip to attach to alateral edge of a cap; a rack slidably coupled with the clip; a pinioneddial forming a rack-and-pinion mechanism with the rack; and an angleadjuster rotationally coupled with the rack.
 4. The adapter system ofclaim 3, further comprising a stabilizer mechanically coupled to theclip, the stabilizer comprising a stabilizer strap, the stabilizer strappartially circumscribing an inner edge of the cap.
 5. The adapter systemof claim 4, the clip comprising a snap to mechanically couple the clipto the stabilizer.
 6. The adapter system of claim 4, the clip comprisinga hinge to mechanically couple the clip to the stabilizer.
 7. Theadapter system of claim 4, the clip comprising a slot, the stabilizercomprising a sliding insert, the sliding insert to mechanically couplewith the slot.
 8. The adapter system of claim 4, the clip comprising athree-snap mechanism to mechanically couple the clip to the stabilizer.9. The adapter system of claim 4, the clip comprising an orifice, thestabilizer comprising tabs to insert into the orifice to mechanicallycouple the clip to the stabilizer.
 10. The adapter system of claim 4,further comprising a gel pad, the stabilizer strap being interposedbetween the gel pad and the inner edge of the cap.
 11. The adaptersystem of claim 10, the cap being a baseball cap with a brim.
 12. Theadapter system of claim 11, further a brim clip to mechanically attachto the brim, the brim clip being mechanically coupled to the gel pad.13. The adapter system of claim 12, further comprising an elastic strapto mechanically couple the brim clip to the gel pad.
 14. The adaptersystem of claim 4, the clip comprising: an inner panel comprising innerteeth, the inner teeth to engage an inside of the baseball cap; and anouter panel located between the inner panel and the cover, the outerpanel comprising: outer teeth, the outer teeth to engage an outside ofthe baseball cap, the inner teeth and the outer teeth to securely holdthe baseball cap; a groove located substantially parallel to the edge;and an unthreaded bore.
 15. The adapter system of claim 14, furthercomprising a cover mechanically coupled to the outer panel, the coverhaving an opening.
 16. The adapter system of claim 15, furthercomprising a slide lock located on the cover, the slide lock having alocked position, the slide lock having an unlocked position, the slidelock to prohibit disengagement of the rack from the groove when theslide lock is in the locked position, the slide lock to permitdisengagement of the rack from the groove when the slide lock is in theunlocked position.
 17. The adapter system of claim 4, the rackcomprising: rack teeth for the rack-and-pinion mechanism; and a threadedfemale receptacle.
 18. The adapter system of claim 4, the pinioned dialcomprising: an axle to permit the pinioned dial to rotate with referenceto the clip; and a pinion for the rack-and-pinion mechanism.
 19. Theadapter system of claim 3, further comprising a knob to secure the angleadjuster, the knob comprising a threaded male member.
 20. The adaptersystem of claim 3, further comprising a locking pawl located on theouter panel, the locking pawl to prevent the rack from moving freelywith reference to the clip.